Exploring how common medications might affect the risk of cancer and Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Integrating genetics and health data to discover common drug effects on cancer and Alzheimer's disease
Funded at University of Massachusetts Lowell · NIH-10902054 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how some common medications might affect the chances of older adults getting cancer or Alzheimer's disease, hoping to find ways to prevent these serious health issues and possibly use existing drugs in new ways.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Lowell NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lowell, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $366,951 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM151001-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10902054 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who are currently taking one or more common medications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not taking any medications or are younger than middle age may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential hidden effects of commonly prescribed medications on the risk of developing cancer and Alzheimer's disease in older adults. By analyzing health records and genetic data, the study aims to identify patterns and associations between drug use and these serious health outcomes. The researchers will employ innovative methods to assess how the underlying biological processes of medications may relate to the onset of these diseases. This approach could lead to improved disease prevention strategies and opportunities for repurposing existing drugs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention strategies for cancer and Alzheimer's disease, potentially improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using health data to uncover drug effects, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Melamed, Rachel Dania — University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Study coordinator: Melamed, Rachel Dania
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.